Kenya's former world marathon record holder Paul Tergat is still optimistic that he will compete in the BUPA Great South Run in Portsmouth, England slated for Oct. 9.

The Kenyan star withdrew from last weekend's Great North Run after he picked up a slight hamstring injury.

Tergat, who won the Newcastle to South Shields contest four years ago, is hoping to run in the 10 miles race according to the Director of the event Mathew Turnbull.

Tergat is also said to be focusing on the New York marathon scheduled for November this year.

Other athletes who have been lined up for the Great South Run are Hendrick Ramala of South Africa, the New York winner, Zersenai Tedesse and Dejene Berhanu and Deratu Tulu both from Ethiopia.

Tergat's marathon world record was battered last Sunday in Rotterdam by 18-year old Japan based Kenyan Samuel Wanjiru.

Source: Xinhua